What to pack in my hospital bag? Lists seem to differ. What sort if number of things do i really need

[Jellybabie3]

I.e number of mat pads, pants, nighties, breast pads, muslins, nappies etc will i need?? Also, alot say pack 'smart loose clothing'......like what? I am assuming i wont be feeling especially glamorous! But also not sure if i want to buy something special to get round sore bits....

You'll be fine wearing your maternity clothes home - honestly, the bump doesn't go down that quickly - the other baby things I guess depends on the hospital and what they provide (likely nothing). Are you going to prenatal classes? No doubt they'll have a discussion about it.

Your DH's pants might be good - I found them to be the perfect size (brief style not boxers) and they held maternity pads in very well.

As for nightwear, if you are breastfeeding two-piece pyjamas are best.

I packed a whole pack of mat pads (16?), a new 7 pack of large black pants, 2 nighties and a pair of comfy pjs, a box of breast pads (but didn't need them - had leaked during pregnancy but didn't the first few days). 10 muslins (had a sickly baby and could have used more!) and 1 pack of nappies (they take up less room unopened).
I wouldn't worry about smart - just comfortable (I took leggings and longer tops, useful if they were button down for feeding.

You don't need anywhere near the amount of random stuff people claim you need!

All of the disposable things you mention (pads, nappies etc) - 1 pack of each. That's plenty for one day and if you're in longer than one day then someone can bring you some more from home or a shop.

Muslins - a couple? Newborns don't really puke in their first couple of days as they haven't had any milk yet, and your boobs probably won't be leaking yet either, so I'd say muslins are optional, any messes can always be wiped up with a paper towel at that point.

Undies - a few pairs of big knickers. Whatever size you're wearing at the end of pregnancy. They don't need to be disposable - if you bleed on them then they just go in the wash, no different from stains from a bad period.

Clothes to go home in - one outfit, or two if you want to give yourself options on the day! Maternity clothes ideally. A skirt or a dress. I mean you can literally get changed as soon as you get home anyway if it's uncomfortable or whatnot, so I wouldn't fret over going home outfits unless you're a celebrity expecting the paparazzi.

Just don't pack maternity jeans to wear after labour...

Yes to all the above. I admittedly didn't bring enough for baby, I think I packed 3 outfits, but they dressed her in vests under her outfit, effectively meaning I had two. So plenty of clothes for baby.

Apart from that sugary things to eat (depending on time of day you give birth, sometimes the most you'll be given to eat is an egg sandwich...) and dark clothes, long tops etc. My waters went down my outfit and I had to be taken to hospital with paper towels covering my modesty as my top wasn't long enough. By this time though I was on gas and air and didn't care!

You'll be fine- trust your common sense and all will be ok

Ok great thanks ladies

I wouldn't worry too much unless you're really out in the sticks (though even if you are, the hospital probably isn't). If you find you need more of anything you'll probably have time to ask someone to get it for you; I had to ask dh to go and buy me some more loose black pj type trousers because I was slightly anaemic after birth and flooded every time I stood up. And there was no way I was putting my maternity jeans back on after a forceps delivery!

Check your hospital food policy. At our top teaching hospital there is no access to any good whatsoever between 6pm and 7am. So if you give birth at midnight you have to wait until breakfast for food. My DH had to run to a 24 hour tesco at 1am for full meals for both of us.

Sports drinks for labour if you can't eat much.

Tena lady pants instead of pads for first few days. Genius tip from MN. So easy to deal with.

I packed for one day but had another little suitcase packed at home for a few more days in case I got kept in so DP didn't have to go looking for stuff.

My contribution:

Flip flops for the toilet/shower! Primark £1 will do and chuck them as you leave.

Loads of pants! I was only in for 7 hours after the last one, changed my knickers so many times due to leaks from pads, ditto pjs- went through both pairs! Yes yes to energy drinks and snacks, phone charger in case you are there a while and want to mumsnet! Take 4 of everything for your baby on case of puking - its mucus they bring up rarher than milk and there can be lots of it! A black bag for bloodstained clothes to go in. Ditto meconium covered sleepsuits, that stuff is like black tar! Good moisturiser and lovely smelling bath stuff for your post birth shower.

Oh and for the baby, wrap a vest and nappy inside the sleepsuit so you just grab one thing out of the bag, handy if your sore and not too mobile.

My maternity clothes were too big after but I had twins, I wore normal yoga pants home You don't need smart clothing! Loose comfy clothing.
Towel
Nursing pillow
Slippers
Socks
Ear plugs and eye masks
I was in for a month so I had other stuff like hairdryer brought in

Bring plenty of vests for baby! I ended up in for 3 nights and DS had many explosive nappies with poo coming out of everywhere! had to get my husband to bring in lots of fresh ones after the first night 😂

Remember you only have one small cupboard and could be home the same day!

For ease I packed a bag for me, one for baby and one of food. Then in each of bags separated things into separate bags again i.e. Vests, babygros etc. I ended up in for 5 days so this ended up saving a whole load of mess and helped my visitors to help me when I needed stuff.

You will probably have to use the hospital body wash for first shower though you can use that and then your own toiletries straight away. Hope it all goes well for you.

I had to get a fan for my labour! May not be necessary for you but certainly helped me :)